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Within a season, every 15 to 20 games can require a different part of the team to carry it to victory. Right now if the pen and offense can do that, I will take it. Next series it might be the starting pitching and defense that come through.

Rising O's wrote:Within a season, every 15 to 20 games can require a different part of the team to carry it to victory. Right now if the pen and offense can do that, I will take it. Next series it might be the starting pitching and defense that come through.

Would you agree, though, that championship teams are normally built on pitching and defense? This staff may (probably will) straighten itself out, but right now.........

Arrieta if he continues to struggle should be replaced by late May. I don't see Buck waiting as long as he did last year. Jurrjens could provide that 2nd half boost Miguel Gonzalez provided in 2012, he was and remains the wildcard for me.

I think the pitching is good enough to get us into the playoffs and maybe to the ALCS if the offense can play its part. But a large part of that will come from the bullpen shutting the opponents down after the 6th.

The defense has cost us at least two games so far. That is 28% of our losses in a very small sample size. That will not continue.

Big question is, what do they do with Pedro Strop if he continues to pitch like this. They cannot carry another Kevin Gregg for 4 months. Try to get him through waivers and use Arrieta is what I would do.